ClutchPoints

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has taken Stephen Curry’s ankle injury in stride, considering it a blessing in disguise through this early part of the season, as it may help the team become less reliable on his shooting talents.

The Warriors have built a habit of relying on Curry’s shooting prowess and getting into huge holes, hoping his flamethrower will heat up at the right time to pull them out of any deficit.

Golden State has struggled tremendously with turnovers, and according to Kerr, this might just be the chance for this team to take it back to basics and focus on valuing possessions, now knowing they have one less weapon to use at the end of games.

“We’re faced with a real challenge. Steph is the guy that makes us go,” Kerr said. “We have great players, but Steph is the engine. Everything we do revolves around him.”

“We’re going to have to adapt and have to execute better. Our cutting has to be sharper. Our screening has to be better. Our decision making has to be better. In the long run, I think it’ll be a good thing.”

Going back only a season ago, the Warriors played their best basketball while Kevin Durant was out with an injury, after Zaza Pachulia collided with his knee. Durant was incorporated at the end of the season, at which point it was smooth sailing, finishing the season and postseason on a 30-2 run.